This last week we were blessed to have four nights of concerts with Metro Worship from Metro Calvary Chapel in Los Angeles. On one of the evenings, Jess Cates prayed that all the distractions of that day would be drowned out and that we would only hear the voice of Jesus.

In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 15, Jesus is brought before Pilate. And Pilate asked Him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said; “It is as you say.” At that point the Chief Priests began bringing all kinds of accusations against Him but he didn't respond to one of them. Because of this, Pilate was blown away. He couldn’t believe that Jesus wouldn’t defend himself. Through Jesus, God demonstrated that He was the One in control - and not them. All because He remained silent. Earlier that night, Jesus had already demonstrated that He had the power to take them out. Remember, in the Garden of Gethsemane as they came to get Him, He asked “Whom are you seeking?” They said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” And Jesus said, “I am He,” and as soon as He said that they all fell backward to the ground. When people had a question, He would respond. When they had a false accusation, He was silent.

Whenever someone says something against us that’s false, perhaps it’s best to just keep quite like Jesus did. The power of silence will speak louder than all our shouting. In Proverbs 15:1 it says, “A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.” The silence of Jesus spoke louder than all the words of those who were accusing Him. He could have destroyed them all with just one word but He didn’t. You may have the opportunity to harm or to bless someone with just one word. It’s your choice. You can either destroy them with your words or you can bring life to them. One day while walking through Samaria, because of an unwillingness to receive the Gospel message, John asked, “Lord shall we call down fire on them?” And Jesus said, “The Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.”

Jesus could have destroyed Pilate and all the Chief Priests. He could have destroyed all the soldiers who came to get Him that night. He could have destroyed all of Samaria. And if He would have, we wouldn’t have the accounts of Joseph of Arimathea coming and getting the body of Jesus and placing it in his tomb, we wouldn’t have the account of the woman at the well, we wouldn’t have the apostle Paul. All because Jesus remained silent, and did not avenge Himself. Psalm 46:10 says “Be still and know that I am God. . .” Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…”

Sometimes it’s better not to say a word. Sometimes, we can actually be a better witness of Jesus Christ by just keeping silent. There’s a time and place to speak. If things are brought against us unjustly, let’s follow Jesus’ example of silence. Hopefully the day will come when all other voices will be drowned out, as we listen to the voice of Jesus saying the words we long to hear, “Well done!”

In Jesus Name
Pastor Dan